Winnipeg, MB - The first annual Bike Week Winnipeg will take place this year from June 16 - 22. Bike Week Winnipeg will present seven days of bike programming, including the 7th annual Bike to Work Day on Friday, June 20.
Bike-friendly events will be held in every corner of the city such as traveling dinners, group rides and workshops, as well as leisure and cultural events that encourage all Winnipeggers to get on their bikes and ride. The main event, Bike to Work Day, will see an anticipated 5,000 commuters pedaling to work.
Bike Week Winnipeg is run by a volunteer planning committee of bike enthusiasts who have organized Bike to Work Day since 2009. The main impetus for growing the event is to open up participation from commuters to any Winnipegger who rides a bike for sport, leisure, transportation and to promote a love of bikes city-wide.
“The City is proud to be a partner for the first annual Bike Week Winnipeg and to support the Bike to Work Day again for its seventh year,” says Mayor Sam Katz. “Active transportation is an accessible and affordable, and environmentally-friendly and healthy way for Winnipeggers to commute to work or spend quality time with family and friends.”
By partnering with other events such as Mountain Equipment Co-op’s BikeFest, Downtown Biz’s Traveling Feast, bike polo, Bike Winnipeg’s cycling workshop and Woodcock Cycle’s group ride, Bike Week Winnipeg is able to offer a smattering of events for many different age groups and abilities.
The week will start off with a Breakfast Party on Bikes. Cyclists are invited to ride down to the MTS Centre loading ramp (enter heading North on Hargrave between Graham and Portage), park their bikes in the arena and enjoy a free pancake breakfast (while supplies last).
On June 20, Bike to Work Day will feature an estimated 50 pit stops open city-wide from 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., offering free food and beverage for riders who drop in. Pit stops are run by volunteers and organizations including community centres, libraries, bike shops and Bike Week’s generous sponsors. An all-day pit stop at The Forks welcomes commuters from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
To cap off the day, all Bike Week Winnipeg participants are invited to the Half Pints Bikes & BBQ party at Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks, with free Boon Burgers for the first 500 cyclists. Winnipeg’s only bike-powered concert system, powered by attendees, will amplify the concert by local musicians.
New this year, participants do not have to register for the event, but simply show up on a bike to join in. All Bike Week Winnipeg events are open to the public, and free unless otherwise indicated on Bike Week Winnipeg’s event schedule.
Bike Week Winnipeg is a celebration of people riding bicycles. It’s for everyone. Whether you ride for recreation, fitness, transportation, sport, or just for fun - if you enjoy riding a bike, then Bike Week Winnipeg is for you! For more information, visit the Bike Week Winnipeg website.